The dreaded disease, Monkey pox, has spread to Lagos. Already, two suspected cases have been confirmed by the State Government.
According to the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, one of the victims has just returned from Bayelsa State, where the incident was first recorded last week, to Lagos State.
Idris said so far, there are 31 reported cases across the country, with two in Lagos.
He said: “Though no confirmed case has been recorded, there is need to sensitise members of the public and provide adequate information on measures for prevention and control of the diseases in line with policy of the state government.
“Monkey pox is a rare viral zoonotic diseases from (animal to man) caused by monkey pox virus, which occurs primarily in central and West Africa close to tropical rains forest, where there is frequent contact with infected animals.
“The symptoms in human is similar to those seen in the past in small pox patient although less severe.
“Monkey Pox Should be suspected in the any person with rash, fever, chills, sweats, headache backache, lymphadenopathy, sore-throats, cough and shortness of breath.
“Residents are urged to adequate measures in order to reduce the risk of contracting the diseases. Health workers should have high index of suspicion any person with the above symptoms in order to improve case detection.
“I need to state that though there is no specific to vaccine for diseases, vaccination against small pox has been proven to be 85 per cent effective in preventing Monkey pox.
“There is also no specific anti-viral therapy for Monkey pox.
“However the diseases is self-limiting and could be managed conservatively.”